Member of Distinction: Western Area — Van Warmerdam Dairy

“NRCS has really been a pleasure to work with and they are very knowledgeable,” Leo says. “They’ve really helped us come as far as we have.”

Both Peter and Leo are active in industry organizations like Western United Dairymen, the California Beef Board, the Sacramento County Farm Bureau, the California Milk Advisory Board and the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Peter also serves a delegate for DFA’s Western Area.

“My dad was very loyal to the industry,” Peter says. “He took a lot of time and effort to try and make the industry stronger. I think he taught us that and taught us to be responsible and respectful of others.”

He also taught them the importance of being part of a cooperative.

“We’ve been in a co-op since 1972, and my dad was on the board. He was highly proactive in getting more members to join the cooperative,” Leo says. “DFA is valuable for us. It’s been instrumental in providing a home for our milk. The staff and the field representatives and transportation all the way down the line have been very helpful in getting us through the day, on good days and on bad days.”